EUGENE GOOSSENS (1893-1962): The Apocalypse for Soloists, Double Chorus and Orchestra.

Description: Another big choral-orchestral work inspired by the Book of Revelation joins those of the 1930s and 40s by Franz Schmidt, Jean Françaix, Hilding Rosenberg and Henk Badings. Goossens worked at this one from 1949-54 (or 1943-54 if you choose the notes over the tray-card) and managed two performances each in Sydney (19540 and in London (1955) before the one here which was part of the Australian Broadcasting Company’s 50th anniversary festivities. Part Three Choirs Festival fodder and part Hollywood biblical epic film score, this 78-minute oratorio is one of only two works that Goossens wrote for chorus and orchestra (the other one is very small), so you might say that he got his money’s worth. Good recording quality with a very quiet audience (until the end); it was issued on LP by the ABC in 1984. Texts included. Grant Dickson (bass), Gregory Yurisich (baritone), Ronald Dowd (tenor), Arelle Tapping (mezzo), Sydney Philharmonia Choir, Sydney Philharmonic Orchestra; Myer Fredman (live, Nov. 13, 1982).